Best Keto-Friendly Marinara Sauce Brands For Your Pasta

If you're on a keto diet, you might be surprised to learn that many store-bought pasta sauces are not keto-friendly. This is because, to balance the acidity of tomatoes, many brands add sugar to their sauces. So, which brands can you buy?

Some of the best keto marinara sauces include Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce, Prego Farmers' Market Classic Marinara, Primal Kitchen Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce, and Yo Mama's Foods Marinara Magnifica Gourmet Pasta Sauce.

Keto-friendly pasta sauce options

There are several keto-friendly pasta sauce options available in the market, as well as recipes to make your own.

Store-Bought Options:

• Rao's Pasta Sauce: This sauce received the most votes in a taste test and is well-balanced, made with good ingredients, and tasty. It costs around $6.98 per jar.
• Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce: This sauce came in second in a taste test. However, it has the highest carb count among the tested sauces. It costs around $1.77 per jar.
• Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce: While this sauce only received one vote, it is a good option with low fat and net carbs. It costs around $6.04 per jar.
• Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce: This sauce was not well-liked in a taste test, but it has received several positive reviews on Amazon. It costs around $8.06 per jar.
• Italo's Gourmet Pasta Sauce: Available at Walmart for $5.74 per jar, this sauce has received praise for being tasty and low in carbs, sugar, and sodium.
• Wholesome Yum: This sauce has received several positive reviews for its fresh taste and versatility.
• Sure Keto: This website ranks marinara sauce brands based on how well they fit into a healthy keto diet. Some of the top-ranked brands include Organic Keto Marinara Sauce, Organic Marinara Sauce, and Farmers' Market Classic Marinara Sauce.

Homemade Options:

If you prefer to make your own keto pasta sauce, here are some recipes to try:

• Easy Keto Homemade Tomato Sauce: This recipe uses canned San Marzano-style peeled plum tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, and spices like garlic powder, basil, oregano, and black pepper.
• Keto Marinara Sauce: This recipe uses whole peeled tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and spices. You can also add fresh basil and/or oregano for extra flavor.
• No-Cook Keto Marinara Sauce: This recipe is unique because you don't need to cook the sauce before using it. It uses San Marzano tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and spices like black pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, basil, oregano, parsley, and salt.

So, whether you're looking for a store-bought option or prefer to make your own, there are plenty of keto-friendly pasta sauce options to choose from!

Making homemade keto marinara sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 28-oz can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp sweetener (e.g. Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

Instructions:

• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and translucent (about 3-4 minutes).
• Add the remaining ingredients: crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), sweetener, and basil. Stir until combined.
• Simmer the sauce over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve immediately or let the sauce cool before storing it in glass jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the sauce for up to 2-3 months.

Tips:

• For a smoother sauce, blend the tomatoes before adding the other ingredients.
• If you want to add meat, add ground beef after sautéing the onions and garlic.
• For extra nutrition, sneak in some sautéed keto vegetables.
• To make the sauce in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, follow the same instructions by sautéing the onions and garlic first, then adding the remaining ingredients and cooking until done.

Marinara sauce ingredients

Marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce that typically includes a variety of herbs and spices. Here is a list of ingredients that can be used to make a keto-friendly marinara sauce:

Keto Marinara Sauce Ingredients:

• Tomatoes: The key to a delicious keto marinara sauce is using high-quality tomatoes. San Marzano tomatoes are considered the best option, but any no-sugar-added whole tomatoes can be used. If using fresh tomatoes, you will need around 3.5 pounds. Canned options include whole peeled tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, tomato puree, or tomato sauce.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended, but regular olive oil or avocado oil can also be used.
• Onions: White or yellow onions are commonly used, but onion powder can be substituted to reduce carbs.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is preferred for the best flavor, but jarred garlic or garlic powder can also be used.
• Sweetener: To balance the acidity of the tomatoes, a sweetener like Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend or erythritol can be added. These sweeteners provide a subtle sweetness without the carbs.
• Spices and Herbs: Italian seasoning (a blend of oregano, marjoram, basil, thyme, rosemary, and sage), sea salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley, and fresh basil leaves are commonly used to add flavor to the sauce.
• Other Additions: Some recipes suggest adding ingredients like butter, carrot, celery, or Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavor and texture of the sauce.

Preparation:

The preparation methods for keto marinara sauce can vary, but here are some common steps:

• Sautéing onions and garlic in olive oil to form the flavor base.
• Adding tomatoes and other ingredients, such as spices and herbs, to the pot and simmering for several minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
• Adjusting the seasoning and serving the sauce immediately or storing it for later use.

Keto marinara sauce can be made in a pot on the stovetop, a slow cooker, or an Instant Pot, depending on your preference. It can also be blended for a smoother texture or left chunky.

Keto-friendly store-bought marinara sauce options

While making your own keto-friendly marinara sauce is always an option, there are several store-bought alternatives that can save you time and effort. Here are some keto-friendly, store-bought marinara sauce options:

Rao's Marinara Sauce

Rao's Marinara Sauce is a popular choice among keto enthusiasts. It has 8g of fat, 4g of net carbs, and 1g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include Italian whole peeled tomatoes, olive oil, fresh onions, garlic, basil, black pepper, and dried oregano. Rao's sauce is well-balanced, made with high-quality ingredients, and has a homemade taste. It is available at local grocery stores, Whole Foods, and Costco, but it is on the pricier side, typically costing around $6.98 per jar.

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce

Ragu Simply Pasta Sauce is another option, with 2.5g of fat, 8g of net carbs, and 2g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include tomato puree, olive oil, salt, onions, carrots, dehydrated onions, garlic powder, onion powder, and spices. While it is a more affordable option, typically costing around $1.77 per jar, some may not prefer it due to its higher carb count compared to other options.

Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce

Yo Momma's Pasta Sauce has 4.5g of fat, 4g of net carbs, and 1g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include fresh non-GMO tomatoes, fresh onions, garlic, organic chicken stock, white wine, olive oil, fresh basil, salt, dried oregano, and black pepper. However, it seems to be less favoured by some keto followers, who found it to be lacking in salt and tasting like seafood. Yo Momma's sauce typically costs around $8.06 per jar.

Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce

Dave's Gourmet Pasta Sauce is a good choice, with 1.5g of fat, 5g of net carbs, and 1g of protein per 1/2 cup serving. The ingredients include organic tomatoes, water, organic carrots, onions, tomato paste, olive oil, evaporated cane juice, garlic, spices, and sea salt. This sauce received one vote from a team of six keto food testers, and it typically costs around $6.04 per jar.

Other Options

In addition to the above, there are a few other store-bought keto-friendly marinara sauces available. These include Specially Selected Marinara Sauce from Aldi, Italo's Gourmet Pasta Sauce from Walmart, and Farmer's Market Classic Marinara Sauce, which you can find on Amazon.

Keto recipes that use marinara sauce

Keto Meatballs

Add some Italian flair to your meatballs with a generous serving of marinara sauce. This recipe is perfect for a hearty and comforting meal.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Chicken Parmesan is a classic dish, and with this recipe, you can enjoy it in a keto-friendly way. The marinara sauce adds a burst of flavour to the chicken and makes for a satisfying meal.

Keto Zucchini Rollatini

This recipe is a creative twist on traditional Italian cuisine. By using zucchini instead of pasta, you get a delicious and healthy dish that still satisfies your cravings for Italian food.

Keto Lasagna Meatloaf

For a unique take on the classic meatloaf, try this keto lasagna meatloaf recipe. It combines the flavours of lasagna with the convenience of a meatloaf, all topped with a generous helping of marinara sauce.

Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Skillet

If you're looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional spaghetti, this recipe is a great option. By using spaghetti squash and topping it with marinara sauce and cheese, you get a tasty and keto-friendly meal.

Keto Pizza

Marinara sauce is a perfect base for keto pizza. Simply spread it over your favourite keto-friendly pizza crust and top with your choice of cheese and vegetables for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Zucchini Noodles

Zucchini noodles, also known as "zoodles," are a popular low-carb alternative to pasta. By topping them with marinara sauce, you can enjoy a tasty and healthy meal that satisfies your pasta cravings.

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is another excellent low-carb alternative to traditional pasta. It has a similar texture to spaghetti and pairs perfectly with marinara sauce for a healthy and tasty meal.

Casseroles

Marinara sauce is a versatile ingredient that can be used in various casseroles. Try using it in zucchini lasagna, cabbage roll casserole, Crock-Pot sausage and peppers, or eggplant lasagna for a delicious and keto-friendly meal.

Eggplant Rollatini

For a creative and tasty Italian dish, try making eggplant rollatini with marinara sauce. It's a unique and satisfying meal that will impress your taste buds and your guests.

Dipping Sauce

Marinara sauce also makes an excellent dipping sauce for low-carb snacks like cauliflower breadsticks, roasted eggplant, or zucchini fries. It adds a burst of flavour to your favourite snacks while keeping things keto-friendly.

Frequently asked questions